996 C4S suspension creak

[rturnbull]

Guys, a 1st time post so please be gentle!

I purchased a 2003 996 C4S manual (Guards Red, PSE, 41k & FPSH) in August last year and it has been garaged up until recently. The first time I drove it down from Aberdeen to Glasgow there was a light creaking noise from the N/S/F suspension (the conditions were damp at the time). The noise was more evident when the vehicle weight was shifting from one side to the other on reasonably low speed bends. The car had a 'top mounts showing sign of wear' noted in the advisory section of the previous MOT and I assumed this could be the cause. I thought I would arrange for this to be sorted at the next MOT but the car passed with no mention of the top mounts being worn, they did however fail the car on a track rod end ball joint. A trip to Porsche Glasgow for a new part (which was fitted by our own technicians) and a fresh MOT certificate was issued. While the car was in I arranged for a geometry check to be carried out and a wheel balance. I had just had all 4 wheels refurbed and the car had a developed a vibration through the steering at 70mph. A wheel balance didn't cure the vibration (a buckle was diagnosed) so I took it to a wheel specialist to have it checked, there was no sign of any buckle. They did however manage to break the locking wheel nut which had apparently been over tightened. To complicate things 1 wheel was successfully balanced and the vibration is now worse than ever at anything over 40mph. I waited for the next dry day to make the 60 mile trip to work for the locking nuts to be removed and a new set fitted. On the journey back today I gave the car a bit of a thrashing (probably a reaction to the ever present vibration) and by the time I got home the original creaking noise had turned into a horrendous 'crackling' with every slight bump and turn of the wheel at lower speeds. Does anyone have any suggestions to what might be causing this? I am doing the Silverstone event at the end of the month and I really cant be subjected to this for the entire trip. Cheers

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Ricky!

Creaking noises are usually caused by the lower 'wishbone', often called the 'coffin arm' due to it's shape. The ball joints tend to creak, and get worse when the car is hot. Rattles are usually something else, but creaking like an old bed spring is usually the wishbone. Not too expensive - you can get TRW or Meyle ones for under £100, but avoid the cheaper unbranded Chinese ones.

 

[rturnbull]

Thanks for that, I suspect that you could well be right with your diagnosis. I am planning to get the car checked out on Thursday and just hope it is a relatively inexpensive repair. I have been meaning to call the Porsche Centre in Aberdeen (just to rule out the top mounts) as they have maintained the car from new. Every other major job i.e. RMS etc. has already been done and I hope that the top mounts were replaced at the last MOT. I have already had a number of expensive cosmetic repairs carried out since purchase and another big bill might just tip my wife over the edge! I will let you know what the outcome is, cheers